Northern Nipmuck Trail Race
About the race
If you are signed up and don't plan to run, withdraw from the event. Up until three days prior to the event, you will get a deferral of your entry fee (excluding utrasignup fee) for a future Shenipsit Strider event.
Race day information
- Parking: Bigelow Hollow State Park, Union, CT
- Race location: Nipmuck Trail across the street from the park
- Race date: Sunday, March 28
- Start time: 9:00 am (early start 8:00 am)
- Check-in starts: 7:00 am
- Check-in ends: 8:40 am (bib pickup at the start if you are late)
Parking and trail access
Parking is available in Bigelow Hollow State Park. The race start is across the street from the park. There is a trail from the parking area that avoids walking along the road, so look for signs to direct you.
Race history and proceeds
The Northern Nipmuck Trail Race was my first trail race in 2010, and I was immediately hooked by the low key vibe, friendly people, and the rough and tumble nature of the course and runners. The race was discontinued in 2012, but we revived it in 2022 while attempting to keep the old school vibe that has been a mainstay in the Grand Tree Series.
Proceeds from the event (after covering minor costs) will go to organizations that support our local trails. The new bridge at the north end of Breakneck Pond was funded primarily by the proceeds from the 2022 race.
Tony Bonanno, Race Director
Photo credits to Scott Livingston
The Shenipsit Striders
The Shenipsit Striders trail running club was started in 1975 by a small group of friends in northcentral Connecticut that wanted to get together for weekly runs in the woods. Today the club has grown to include members from all corners of Connecticut and the New England region, with all abilities represented from new runners to experienced ultramarathoners.
Our races serve to give back to the trail community by donating to Connecticut trail stewardship and land use programs.
Awards
Awards and swag: None
No race day registration and waitlist
No race day registration.
- Join the waitlist if you want to run; you will most likely be added to the race.
- Parking is the limiting factor.
Cancellation policy
Withdraw before the event to receive a deferral of your entry fee (excluding utrasignup fee) for a future Shenipsit Strider event, up until three days prior to the event.
The course
The course starts just across the road from Bigelow Hollow and heads south on the Nipmuck Trail through the Yale-Myers Forest. At about 4 miles the trail crosses Barlow Mill Rd (Two Pipes) and continues another 4 miles to the turn around at Boston Hollow, then returns to the finish along the same route. The course is technical with some vertical gain and is blazed blue for the entire route, with flagging added at a few tricky spots. Minimal aid is provided at Two Pipes and Boston Hollow.
Location
bigelow hollow, Union, CT, USA Open in Google Maps
City insight: Union
Union is a town in the northeastern part of Tolland County, Connecticut, and the least populous town in the state, with 785 residents at the 2020 census. It lies about 33 miles northeast of Hartford. Winters are cold and summers are warm and humid, so spring and autumn are the best seasons to race.
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